Train coaches roll into Old Capital for test run

Residents inspect a coach at the Spanish Town train station in St Catherine yesterday. The Jamaica Railway Corporation is slated to have a test run from May Pen, Clarendon, to Linstead, St Catherine, on Saturday. Full service is expected to return to Spanish Town in a month. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Davian Stewart, a grade seven student of Jonathan Grant High School, walks away after taking a peek into a coach at the Spanish Town train station in St Catherine yesterday. The Jamaica Railway Corporation has scheduled a test run from May Pen to Linstead for Saturday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

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Excited residents of Spanish Town, St Catherine, yesterday witnessed the first set of Jamaica Railway Corporation (JRC) coaches roll into the Old Capital ahead of this weekend's test run for a return to the passenger train system.

"I never believe sey I woulda live to see passenger train come back a Spanish Town. I can remember when mi used to travel pon it," 65-year-old Millicent Campbell declared.

Campbell was one of many persons who turned out to view the train's coaches being parked at the refurbished Spanish Town station.

"I have never ridden on a train. Therefore, it will be of some historical benefit to me," said Michelle Raymond, 17.

assist with movement

Meanwhile, chairman of the JRC, Barry Bonitto, said the train was coming to assist with the movement of passengers from Spanish Town to Linstead.

"We intend to start operations from Spanish Town to Linstead within a month. We are going to have a test run from May Pen to Linstead on Saturday, with the transport minister and others, " Bonitto said.

He said that a total of 68 passengers can be seated in each of the six coaches.

"A total of 40 people would gain direct employment as brakesmen, ticketing agents and engineers when the train restarts," he also said.

Many persons said they were looking forward to seeing how the train would improve travel for the public.

At the same time, however, taxi operators plying the Linstead to Spanish Town route expressed concern about the effects the new development would have on their business.

The train service began in Jamaica in 1845 and underwent several changes until it came to a halt in 1992.